A  GUIDE 


FOR 

LOCATING  LOCOMOTIVE 
ENGINE  MACHINERY 
DEFECTS 


THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  ILLINOIS 
LIBRARY 


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:"B  1  0  R:co 


A  GUIDE 


For  Locating 


ocomotive  Engine  Machinery 
Defects 


Practical  Help  for  Engineers,  Firemen 
and  Machinists,  in  Setting  Forth 
the  Defects  and  the  Tests 
for  Defects 


BY 

H.  T.  HAMILTON 
1592  MT.  VERNON  AVENUE 
COLUMBUS,  OHIO 


COPYRIGHT,  1916 
BY 

H.  T.  HAMILTON 


Press  of  The  Heer  Printing  C 
Columbus,  Ohio 


<.  G  R 1. 1  34 

i  Hlgi 

INTRODUCTION. 


BROM  years  of  practical  ex¬ 
perience  in  the  different  rail¬ 
road  shops,  with  different 
■lasses  of  engine  machinery,  I  am 
)ffering  this  little  pocket  guide  to  the 
nen  who  operate  and  care  for  the 
engine  machinery,  and  who  desire  to 
mow  the  latest  and  best  methods  for 
ocating  the  defects;  setting  forth  the 
defects,  with  the  tests  for  locating  the 
same.  The  writer  has  well  in  mind 
that  much  more  might  be  said  in  re¬ 
gard  to  the  machinery  defects,  but  it 
is  not  the  intention  to  show  and  offer 
such,  but  only  to  show  that  which 
will  prove  beneficial  and  practical. 

These  methods  have  given  satisfac¬ 
tion  and  it  is  also  suggested  that  when 
possible,  the  method  here  given  be 
tested  out,  as  we  know  practice  makes 
perfect. 

:  -  i  .  . 


INDEX 


PAGE 

The  Valves  and  Cylinders .  7 

The  Driving  Gear .  22 

The  Running  Gear. . 26 

To  Locate  the  Valve  Strip  Blow .  31 

To  Locate  the  Valve  Seat  Blow .  33 

To  Locate  the  Defective  Bridge .  35 

To  Locate  the  Underbalance  Valve 

Blow  .  37 

To  Locate  the  Defective  Pressure 

Plate  .  39 

To  Locate  both  Cylinder  Packing 

Blowing  .  42 

To  Locate  the  inside  admission  Piston 

Valve  Blow  .  44 

To  Locate  the  Valve  Rings  Broken..  46 
To  Locate  the  Cylinder  Packing  and 

the  Valve  Blowing . 48 

To  Locate  the  Defective  Exhaust 

Ring  .  50 

To  Locate  the  Worn  Cylinder  Packing.  53 
To  Locate  the  Turned  Cylinder  Bush¬ 
ing  .  56 

To  Locate  the  Cylinder  Pounds .  58 

To  Locate  if  the  Guide  Bars  need  clos¬ 
ing  or  are  bent .  60. 

(5) 


6 


Index. 


page 


To  Locate  the  Main  Rod  and  Main 

Box  Pounds  .  60 

To  Locate  the  Engine  out  of  tram...  61 
To  Locate  the  Loose  Wedges  and 

how  to  adjust  same . 62 

The  Mallet  Engine .  61 

Don’ts  . 69 


THE  VALVES  AND  CYLINDERS. 

The  superheat  engine  requires 
much  more  attention  than  the  satu¬ 
rated  engine.  The  valve  and  the 
cylinder  packing  rings  of  the  super¬ 
heat  engine  require  more  spring  and 
more  opening,  for  there  is  a  much 
higher  degree  of  heat  in  the  cylinders. 
This  expands  the  packing  rings  more 
and  the  spring  of  the  rings  is  soon 
destroyed,  even  if  well  lubricated. 

The  piston  head  should  be  pro¬ 
vided  with  dowels  to  prevent  the 
rings  from  turning  around.  When 
the  packing  rings  turn  around  in  the 
cylinders  the  rings  wear  out  much 
faster  and  are  more  liable  to  become 
broken.  The  packing  rings  should 
be  fit  with  only  the  opening  required 
for  the  expansion.  If  the  opening  is 
too  large  too  much  steam  escapes, 
which  helps  to  destroy  the  lubrica¬ 
tion  and  decrease  the  power. 

(7) 


8 


A  Guide. 


The  slide  valve  is  the  most  com¬ 
plicated  to  test,  and  when  overbal¬ 
anced  causes  too  much  friction  on 
the  seat,  which  continually  cuts  and 
hollows  out  the  seat,  even  if  well 
lubricated. 

The  piston  valve  packing  rings 
wear  smaller  and  the  steam  chest 
bushings  wear  larger  in  the  middle, 
where  the  valves  are  used  most.  As 
a  rule,  the  valves  are  not  used  in  the 
extreme  position  except  when  the  en¬ 
gine  is  starting  or  drifting.  For  this 
reason  the  piston  valve  shows  the 
strongest  blow  in  the  central  position 
unless  the  packing  rings  are  broken, 
which  would  then  cause  the  valve  to 
blow  in  all  position. 

It  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  a 
slight  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  or  the 
cylinder  cock  or  cocks  should  not  be 
considered,  and  when  there  is  a 
strong  blow  out  of  the  exhaust,  the 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  cylinder 
cock  or  cocks  will  be  of  the  same 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  9 


strong  nature  as  that  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust,  which  will  indicate  the  loca-~ 
tion  of  the  defect. 

Fig.  i  shows  the  slide  valve  in  the 
central  position,  with  steam  lap,  line 
in  line,  or,  in  other  words,  no  ex¬ 


haust  clearance.  Fig.  i  also  shows 
the  defective  valve  strip,  and  why 
there  would  be  a  strong  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  cylinder  cocks,  even  if  the 
valve  had  exhaust  clearance.  The 
blow  is  so  direct  into  the  exhaust 


10 


A  Guide. 


that  the  steam  pressure  would  be 
very  slight  out  of  the  cylinder  cocks. 
The  position  of  the  Valve  will  be 
found  as  shown  in  Fig.  i,  with  either 
crank  on  the  top  or  bottom  quarter, 
with  the  reversing  lever  in  the  cen¬ 
tral  position ;  but  in  some  cases 
where  the  valves  are  out  of  square, 
or  the  reach  rod  too  long  or  too 
short,  the  above  would  not  prove 
true,  so  the  best  method  is  to  move 
the  reversing  lever  until  the  valve 
shuts  the  steam  off  from  the  cylinder. 
In  case  the  valve  seat  or  the  valve 
rings  are  leaking,  the  reversing  lever 
is  to  be  moved  until  the  steam  pres¬ 
sure  is  equal  out  of  the  cylinder 
cocks. 

Figure  2  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  with  the  defective  valve  strip, 
with  either  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  with  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position. 
The  front  cylinder  port  is  then  wide 
open  to  live  steam  and  the  rear 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  11 


cylinder  port  is  wide  open  to  the  ex¬ 
haust,  showing  the  blow  into  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  out  of  the  back  cylinder 
cock.  Then,  with  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  backward  position, 
the  position  of  the  valve  would  be  as 


that  shown  in  Fig.  3.  Fig.  2  also 
shows  why  the  defective  valve  strip 
shows  a  stronger  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  cylinder  cock  or  cocks  when 
in  either  of  the  extreme  positions, 
because  the  small  hole  in  the  top  of 
the  valve  is  then  more  directly  over 


12 


A  Guide. 


the  cylinder  port,  which  is  open  to 
the  exhaust. 

Fig.  3  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  with  the  defective  bridge,  with 
either  crank  on  the  top  quarter  and 
with  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 


treme  forward  position.  Fig.  3  also 
shows  why  there  would  be  a  blow  out 
of  the  exhaust  only  when  the  rear 
cylinder  port  is  opened  to  live  steam. 
(On  the  class  of  engines  where  the 
exhaust  slobber  cocks  are  found  they 
can  be  used  to  some  advantage  to 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  13 

locate  the  defective  bridge.)  Then 
with  the  reversing  lever ,  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  backward  position,  the  posi¬ 
tion  of  the  valve  would  be  as  that 
shown  in  Fig.  2,  and  the  steam  would 
be  shut  off  from  the  defective,  bridge. 


Fig.  4  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  when  the  front  port  opening  is 
taken.  When  point  A  is  at  point  B, 
or  one  sixty-fourth  of  an  inch  open, 
then  the  valve  is  in  the  correct  posi¬ 
tion  for  scribing  the  port  opening  on 
the  valve  stem  or  the  valve  rod.  With 


14 


A  Guide. 


a  tram  placed  at  some  stationary 
point,  scribe  point  E  on  the  valve 
stem.  Then  move  the  valve  ahead 
until  point  C  is  at  point  D,  or  one 
sixty-fourth  of  an  inch  open.  The 
valve  is  then  in  the  correct  position 
for  scribing  the  rear  port  opening  on 
the  valve  stem  at  point  F,  and  half 
of  the  distance  between  point  F  and 
point  E  will  always  give  the  amount 
that  the  valve  laps  beyond  each  cyl¬ 
inder  port,  as  that  shown  in  Fig.  i. 
The  inside  admission  piston  valve  port 
openings  are  taken  by  performing  the 
same  operation,  only  the  front  port 
opening  would  be  at  point  F,  and  the 
rear  port  opening  would  be  at  point 
E.  Fig.  4  also  shows  the  position  in 
which  the  under  balanced  valve  lifts 
from  its  seat.  After  the  front  cyl¬ 
inder  port  has  been  opened  wide  to 
live  steam  and  then  the  valve  moved 
ahead  to  the  point  shown,  the  steam 
pressure  in  the  cylinder  lifts  the 
valve  from  its  seat,  which  causes  a 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  15 


very  strong  blow  out  of  the  exhaust 
and  the  rear  cylinder  cock. 

Fig.  5  shows  the  inside  admission 
piston  valve  in  the  central  position 
with  steam  lap,  exhaust  clearance, 
the  admission  rings  A  and  B  defec¬ 


tive,  and  shows  the  steam  blowing 
into  the  exhaust  and  out  of  both  cyl¬ 
inder  cocks.  This  position  of  the 
valve  will  be  found  with  either  crank 
on  the  top  or  bottom  quarter  with 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  central  po¬ 
sition.  It  can  be  seen  from  Fig.  i 


16 


A  Guide. 


and  Fig.  5  that  a  valve  with  steam 
lap  is  a  valve  that  laps  beyond  each 
cylinder  port. 

Fig.  6  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  with  the  admission  ring  A  and 
the  exhaust  ring  D  defective,  and 


shows  the  steam  blowing  into  the  ex¬ 
haust.  The  position  of  this  valve  will 
then  be  found  with  either  crank  on 
the  bottom  quarter  and  with  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  in  the  extreme  forward 
position.  (On  the  class  of  engines 
where  the  extension  valve  stem  is 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  17 

used,  by  slacking  off  the  cap  on  the 
front  valve  ahead,  it  can  be  proven 
that  the  packing  rings  A  and  D  are 
blowing.)  Then,  with  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  extreme  backward  po¬ 
sition,  the  position  of  the  valve  would 
be  as  that  shown  in  Fig.  7,  and  the 
packing  rings  A  and  D  would  still  be 
blowing  into  the  exhaust  and  out  of 
the  front  cylinder  cock.  It  can  be 
found  from  the  position  of  Fig.  1 
and  Fig.  6  how  to  tell  the  inside  ad¬ 
mission  valve  from  the  outside  ad¬ 
mission  valve,  regardless  of  the  de¬ 
sign  of  the  engine  or  the  valve  gear. 
The  inside  admission  valve,  when 
either  crank  is  below  the  center, 
would  move  in  the  same  direction  as 
the  reversing  lever  is  moved  and  the 
outside  admission  valve  would  move 
in  the  opposite  direction.  The  inside 
admission  valve,  when  either  crank 
is  above  the  center,  would  move  in 
the  opposite  direction  from  which  the 
reversing  lever  is  moved  and  the  out- 


18 


A  Guide. 


side  admission  valve  would  move  in 
the  same  direction  as  the  reversing 
lever  is  moved. 

Fig.  7  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  with  the  admission  ring  B  and 
the  exhaust  ring  C  defective,  and  the 


steam  blowing  into  the  exhaust,  with 
either  crank  on  the  top  quarter  and 
with  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  forward  position.  By  slack¬ 
ing  off  the  valve  stem  gland  it  can 
be  proven  that  the  rings  B  and  C  are 
blowing.  Then,  with  the  reversing 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  19 


lever  in  the  extreme  backward  posi¬ 
tion,  the  position  of  the  valve  will  be 
as  that  shown  in  Fig.  6,  and  the  rings 
B  and  C  would  still  be  blowing  into 
the  exhaust  and  out  of  the  back  cyl¬ 
inder  cock. 


Fig.  8  shows  the  valve  with  the  de¬ 
fective  rings  A,  B,  C,  and  D,  and 
shows  the  steam  blowing  from  each 
end  of  the  valve  into  the  exhaust, 
which  admits  the  steam  into  each  end 
of  the  cylinder  at  the  same  time,  re¬ 
gardless  of  the  position  of  the  valve. 


20 


A  Guide. 


In  this  case  no  one  can  tell  but  that 
the  cylinder  packing  rings  are  blow¬ 
ing,  even  though  the  cylinder  packing 
rings  may  be  steam  tight. 

'Fig.  9  shows  the  position  of  the 
valve  with  lead,  and  the  cylinder 


packing  ring  E  blowing  into  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  out  of  the  back  cylinder 
cock.  Lead  is  a  valve  which  opens 
the  cylinder  port  when  the  piston  is 
at  the  end  or  the  beginning  of  each 
stroke.  The  position  of  the  valve  re¬ 
mains  the  same  regardless  of  the  po- 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  21 


sition  of  the  reversing  lever,  which 
would  cause  a  constant  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  while  testing  the  oppo¬ 
site  side.  Then  with  the  crank  on 
either  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  central  position  the  valve  and 
piston  would  be  as  shown  in  Fig.  5. 
The  valve  would  then  shut  the  steam 
off  from  the  cylinder. 


22 


A  Guide. 


THE  DRIVING  GEAR. 

It  is  very  important  to  see  that  the 
reach  rod  is  kept  the  proper  length. 
Plutnb  the  reversing  lever,  then  see 
if  the  vertical  arm  of  the  lifting  shaft 
is  plumb;  if  plumb,  the  reach  rod  is 
then  of  the  proper  length.  If  the 
vertical  arm  of  the  lifting  shaft  leans 
to  the  right  the  reach  rod  is  too  long; 
if  the  vertical  arm  of  the  lifting  shaft 
leans  to  the  left,  the  reach  rod  is  too 
short  and  should  be  adjusted  until 
the  vertical  arm  of  the  lifting  shaft  is 
plumb  with  the  reversing  lever. 

If  the  links  or  reversing  yokes  are 
out  of  the  central  position  when  the 
vertical  arm  of  the  lifting  shaft  is 
plumb,  the  vertical  arm  is  not  prop¬ 
erly  set  or  the  gear  reach  rods  are 
not  properly  adjusted. 

If  the  reversing  lever  operates  too 
hard  with  either  crank  on  the  top  or 
bottom  quarter,  look  for  the  trouble 
at  the  bottom  end  of  the  reversing 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  23 


lever  or  the  reach  rod  connections  or 
the  lifting  shaft  boxes. 

If  the  reversing  lever  operates  too 
hard  only  when  the  right  crank  is  on 
either  quarter,  look  for  the  trouble  in 
the  right  valve  gear.  If  it  operates 
too  hard  only  when  the  left  crank  is 
on  either  quarter,  look  for  the  trouble 
in  the  left  valve  gear. 

To  find  if  the  lifting  shaft  boxes 
should  be  closed,  pry  the  shaft  up  and 
down  in  its  boxes  and  if  the  lost  mo¬ 
tion  is  over  one-eighth  of  an  inch  the 
boxes  should  be  closed  or  rebushed. 

The  valve  gear  should  not  be  al¬ 
lowed  to  strike  any  of  its  parts,  and 
the  parts  pried  up  and  down,  back 
and  forth,  to  find  the  badly  worn  pins 
and  bushings. 

When  the  side  play  in  any  part  of 
the  valve  gear  becomes  over  one- 
eighth  of  an  inch  it  causes  defects, 
especially  on  the  baker  gear,  and 
should  be  taken  up  by  using  brass 
washers. 


24 


A  Guide. 


When  the  lost  motion  in  the  valve 
cross-heads  becomes  over  one-eighth 
of  an  inch  it  causes  defective  valve 
stems,  and  the  guides  should  be  closed 
or  the  worn  parts  replaced. 

When  the  valves  become  out  of 
square  they  should  be  squared  up,  for 
the  engine  will  not  make  the  time  or 
handle  the  tonnage,  and  will  burn 
enough  more  fuel  in  one  trip  to  pay 
for  the  needed  repairs. 

When  the  front  end  of  the  cross¬ 
head  is  over  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch 
loose  in  the  front  end'  of  the  guides, 
or  the  back  end  of  the  cross-head  is 
over  one-sixteenth  of  an  inch  loose 
in  the  back  end  of  the  guides,  the 
guides  should  then  be  closed.  The 
side  play  should  also  be  kept  out  of 
the  cross-heads. 

The  brasses  at  the  front  end  of  the 
main  rods  should  be  tried  often  for 
pound,  and  the  lost  motion  should  be 
kept  out  by  keeping  the  brasses  keyed 
up.  The  brasses  at  the  back  end  of 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  25 


the  main  rods  should  be  kept  keyed 
up  tight  in  the  rod,  and  when  the 
brasses  become  over  one-sixteenth  of 
an  inch  larger  than  the  pin  the  brasses 
should  then  be  closed.  When  the  side 
play  in  the  back  end  of  the  main  rods 
or  side  rod  bushings  become  over 
one-eighth  of  an  inch,  it  also  should 
be  taken  up. 


26 


A  Guide. 


THE  RUNNING  GEAR. 

The  engine  frame  should  be  kept 
level  over  the  driving  boxes  and 
should  not  be  allowed  to  strike  the 
boxes.  Where  the  engine  is  low  on 
one  side  it  sometimes  causes  the 
flange  or  flanges  to  cut  on  the  oppo¬ 
site  side.  When  the  driving  tire 
flanges  start  to  cut  on  either  side,  the 
side  that  is  being  cut  should  be  lined 
ahead.  The  engine  truck  wheel  also, 
should  be  lined  ahead,  when  the 
flange  starts  to  cut.  Then  one  pair 
of  wheels  will  last  as  long  as  three 
pair  under  former  conditions. 

Fig.  io  shows  the  driver  and  the 
position  of  the  right  lead  engine 
cranks.  When  the  right  crank  A  is 
on  the  forward  center  the  left  crank 
B  is  on  the  top  quarter.  When  the 
engine  is  moving  forward,  the  right 
crank  A  is  always  in  the  lead  of  the 
left  crank  B.  Then,  when  the  engine 
is  moving  backward,  the  left  crank  B 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  27 

is  always  in  the  lead  of  the  right 
crank  A.  Fig.  io  also  shows  how  to 
determine  the  stroke  of  the  piston. 


Twice  the  distance  from  the  center 
of  either  crank  A  or  B  to  the  center 
of  the  axle  E  will  always  give  the 


28 


A  Guide. 


stroke  of  the  piston.  For  example, 
twice  the  distance  from  the  center  of 
the  crank  B  to  the  center  of  the  axle 
E  is  two  times  fourteen  and  one-half 
inches,  or  twenty-nine  inches,  the 
stroke  of  the  piston.  Fig.  io  explains 
how  the  cranks  should  be  placed  for 
testing  the  right  lead  engine  for  valve 
and  cylinder  packing  defects.  For 
testing  the  right  side  the  right  crank 
B  should  be  placed  on  the  bottom 
quarter;  then  the  left  crank  A  will 
be,  as  shown  on  the  forward  center. 
For  testing  the  left  side,  the  left  crank 
B  should  be  placed  on  the  top  quarter ; 
then  the  right  crank  A  will  be,  as 
shown,  on  the  forward  center. 

Fig.  ii  shows  the  driver  and  the 
position  of  the  left  lead  engine 
cranks.  When  the  left  crank  D  is  on 
the  forward  center  the  right  crank  C 
is  on  the  top  quarter.  When  the  en¬ 
gine  is  moving  forward,  the  left 
crank  D  is  always  in  the  lead  of  the 
right  crank  C.  Then,  when  the  en- 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Detects.  29 


gine  is  moving  backward,  the  right 
crank  C  is  always  in  the  lead  of  the 
left  crank  D.  Fig.  n  explains  how 
the  cranks  should  be  placed  for  test¬ 
ing  the  left  lead  engine  for  valve  and 
cylinder  packing  defects.  For  testing 
the  right  side,  the  right  crank  C 
should  be  placed  on  the  top  quarter; 
then  the  left  crank  D  will  be  as 
shown,  on  the  forward  center.  For 
testing  the  left  side,  the  left  crank  C 
should  be  placed  on  the  bottom  quar¬ 
ter;  then  the  right  crank  D  will  be 
as  shown,  on  the  forward  center. 

To  find  if  it  is  necessary  to  test 
the  engine  for  valve  and  cylinder 
packing  defects,  place  the  crank  or 
cranks  in  the  above  mentioned  posi¬ 
tion  and  move  the  reversing  lever 
very  slowly  from  one  extreme  po¬ 
sition  to  the  other;  then,  if  a  blow  is 
heard  out  of  the  exhaust,  use  the  fol¬ 
lowing  instructions. 

The  outside  admission  piston  valve 
defects,  can  also  be  located  by  per- 


30 


A  Guide. 


forming  the  same  operation,  as  that 
used  for  the  slide  valve.  Of  course 
the  engine  throttle  is  to  be  opened, 
and  the  steam  leaks  of  the  steam  chest 
and  cylinder  apparatus,  can  all  be  lo¬ 
cated  when  the  tests  are  performed. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  31 


TO  LOCATE  THE  VALVE  STRIP 
BLOW. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end 
of  the  cylinder.  A  sharp  blow  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  the  back  cylinder 
cock  indicate  that  the  valve  is  blow¬ 
ing.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  A  sharp  blow  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  cylinder  cocks  indi¬ 
cate  that  the  valve  strips  are  blowing. 
Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  sharp  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  the  front  cyl¬ 
inder  cock  proves  that  the  right  valve 
strips  are  blowing. 

To  prove  if  the  constant  blow  out 
of  the  exhaust  all  comes  from  the 
right  side,  place  the  left  crank  on  the 


32 


A  Guide. 


top  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  sharp  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
indicate  that  the  cylinder  packing  is 
steam  tight.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  The 
same  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  no 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  cylinder 
cocks  indicate  that  the  valve  is  steam 
tight.  Then  place  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  backward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
front  end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  no 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  back  cyl¬ 
inder  cock  prove  that  the  left  side  is 
steam  tight,  and  that  the  constant 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  all  comes 
from  the  right  valve  strips.  See  Fig. 
i  and  Fig.  2  for  a  strip  blow. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  33 


TO  LOCATE  THE  VALVE  SEAT 
BLOW. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  shrill  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock 
indicate  that  the  right  valve  and  the 
right  cylinder  packing  are  steam  tight. 
Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  cen¬ 
tral  position.  The  same  shrill  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  but  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  cylinder  £Ocks  prove 
that  the  right  valve  is  steam  tight. 
Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
prove  that  the  right  cylinder  packing 
is  steam  tight. 


34 


A  Guide. 


Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the 
top  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
back  end  of  the  cylinder.  A  shrill 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  the  front 
cylinder  cock  indicates  that  the  left 
valve  is  blowing.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  A 
slight  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and 
a  strong  steam  pressure  out  of  both 
cylinder  cocks  indicate  that  the  valve 
seat  is  blowing.  Then  place  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  in  the  extreme  back¬ 
ward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  front  end  of  the 
cylinder.  A  shrill  blow  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  the  back  cylinder  cock 
proves  that  the  left  valve  seat  is 
blowing,  when  the  valve  is  in  all 
positions.  It  is  not  necessary  to  ex¬ 
amine  the  cylinder  packing  in  this 
case  because  the  sound  of  the  blow 
did  not  indicate  a  cylinder  packing 
4  blow. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  35 


TO  LOCATE  THE  DEFECTIVE 
BRIDGE. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bot¬ 
tom  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate 
that  the  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  The  same  roar  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  cylinder  cocks  prove  that 
the  valve  is  steam  tight.  Then  place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  extreme 
backward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  back  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder.  The  same  roar  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
the  front  cylinder  cock  prove  that  the 
right  side  is  steam  tight,  and  that  the 
roar  comes  from  the  left  side. 

Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the 


36 


A  Guide. 


top  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  No  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock  in¬ 
dicate  that  the  left  cylinder  packing 
is  steam  tight.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  No  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  cylinder  cocks 
prove  that  the  valve  is  steam  tight. 
Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  a  slight  steam  blow 
out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock,  in¬ 
dicate  a  defective  bridge.  There  be¬ 
ing  a  blow  only  when  the  front 
cylinder  port  is  open  to  live  steam, 
prove  that  the  bridge  between  the 
front  cylinder  port  and  the  exhaust  is 
defective.  See  Fig.  3  for  defective 
bridge. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  37 


TO  LOCATE  THE  UNDERBALANCE 
VALVE  BLOW. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  No  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  right  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Then  slowly  move  the  revers¬ 
ing  lever  toward  the  central  position 
until  a  blow  is  heard.  A  very  strong 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  back  cyl¬ 
inder  cock  indicate  that  the  right 
valve  is  blowing.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  No 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  or  no  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  cylinder  cocks 
prove  that  the  valve  seat  is  steam 
tight.  Then  place  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  backward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 


38 


A  Guide. 


back  end  of  the  cylinder.  No  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
prove  that  the  right  cylinder  packing 
is  steam  tight. 

Slowly  move  the  reversing  lever 
toward  the  central  position  until  a 
blow  is  heard.  A  very  strong  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  front  cylinder 
cock  indicate,  from  the  position  of  the 
reversing  lever,  that  the  valve  has 
closed  the  cylinder  port  and  the  steam 
pressure  in  the  cylinder  is  greater 
than  the  steam  pressure  on  the  top  of 
the  valve.  This  causes  the  valve  to 
be  lifted  from  its  seat,  which  causes 
the  blow.  By  having  a  blow  only 
when  the  reversing  lever  was  in  the 
above  mentioned  positions  proves  that 
the  valve  is  not  properly  balanced. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  39 


TO  LOCATE  THE  DEFECTIVE 
PRESSURE  PLATE. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bot¬ 
tom  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  No  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  right  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  central  position.  No  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  cylinder  cocks  prove  that  the 
right  valve  is  steam  tight.  Then  place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  extreme 
backward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  back  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder.  No  blow  out  of  the  exhaust 
or  no  steam  pressure  out  of  the  front 
cylinder  cock,  prove  that  the  right  side 
is  steam  tight. 

.Next  place  the -left  crank  on  the 
top  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in 


40 


A  Guide. 


the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  very  sharp 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  front  cyl¬ 
inder  cock  indicate  that  the  left  valve 
is  blowing.  Move  the  reversing  lever 
back  three  notches  and  no  blow  is 
heard.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  central  position.  No  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  cylinder  cocks  prove  that  the 
left  valve  is  steam  tight.  Then  place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  extreme 
backward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  front  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder.  No  blow  out  of  the  exhaust 
or  no  steam  pressure  out  of  the  back 
cylinder  cock  prove  that  the  left  cyl¬ 
inder  packing  is  steam  tight. 

Having  a  blow  only  when  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  was  in  the  extreme  for¬ 
ward  position  indicates  that  the  front 
end  of  the  pressure  plate  is  defective, 
or  too  much  travel  of  the  valve,  which 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  41 


caused  the  blow.  If  the  valve  would 
blow  with  the  reversing  lever  in  both 
of  the  extreme  positions,  it  would  in¬ 
dicate  that  the  pressure  plate  was  too 
short,  or  too  much  travel  of  the  valve. 


42 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  BOTH  CYLINDER 
PACKING  BLOWING. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end 
of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  a  strong  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate 
that  the  right  cylinder  packing  is 
blowing.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  central  position.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  cylinder  cocks  prove  that 
the  right  valve  is  steam  tight,  and  the 
roar  out  of  the  exhaust  comes  from 
the  left  side. 

Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
prove  that  the  right  cylinder  packing 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  43 


is  blowing.  Next  place  the  left  crank 
on  the  top  quarter  and  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  extreme  forward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
back  end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  front  cylinder 
cock  indicate  that  the  left  cylinder 
packing  is  blowing.  Place  the  revers¬ 
ing  lever  in  the  central  position.  The 
same  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  no 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  cylinder 
cocks  prove  that  the  left  valve  is 
steam  tight.  Then  place  the  revers¬ 
ing  lever  in  the  extreme  backward  po¬ 
sition.  The  steam  is  thus  admitted 
into  the  front  end  of  the  cylinder. 
The  same  roar  out  of  the  exhaust  and 
a  strong  steam  pressure  out  of  the 
back  cylinder  cock  prove  that  the  left 
cylinder  packing  is  blowing. 


44 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  INSIDE  ADMIS¬ 
SION  PISTON  VALVE  BLOW. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end  of 
the  cylinder.  A  slight  blow  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  a  slight  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate 
that  the  right  valve  is  blowing.  Place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  central  po¬ 
sition.  A  strong  blow  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  a  strong  steam  pressure  out 
of  both  cylinder  cocks  prove  that  the 
right  valve  rings  or  the  steam  chest 
bushings  are  badly  worn,  which  causes 
the  blow.  Then  place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  extreme  backward  posi¬ 
tion.  The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into 
the  back  end  of  the  cylinder.  A  slight 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  slight 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  front  cyl¬ 
inder  cock  indicate  that  the  blow 
comes  from  the  right  valve. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  45 


Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  A  blow  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
the  front  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  left  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  The  same  blow  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  cylinder  cocks  prove  that 
the  left  valve  is  steam  tight.  Then 
place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  backward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end  of 
the  cylinder.  The  same  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  back  cylinder  cock  proves  that 
the  left  side  is  steam  tight  and  the 
constant  blow  out  of  the  exhaust 
comes  from  the  right  valve. 


46 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  VALVE  RINGS 
BROKEN. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bot¬ 
tom  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
front  end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock 
indicate  that  the  right  cylinder  pack¬ 
ing  is  blowing.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  A  roar 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam 
pressure  out  of  both  cylinder  cocks 
prove  that  the  packing  rings  at  both 
ends  of  the  valve  are  blowing.  Then 
place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  backward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  The  same  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
indicate  that  the  cylinder  packing  is 
blowing.  In  this  case,  no  one  can  tell 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  47 


but  that  the  right  cylinder  packing  is 
blowing  too  and  it  should  also  be  ex¬ 
amined. 

Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
the  front  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  left  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  central  position.  The  same  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  but  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  either  cylinder  cock  prove 
that  the  left  valve  rings  are  steam 
tight.  Then  place  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  backward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
front  end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same 
roar  out  of  the  exhaust  but  no  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  back  cylinder 
cock  prove  that  the  left  cylinder  pack¬ 
ing  is  steam  tight,  and  the  constant 
roar  out  of  the  exhaust  comes  from 
the  right  side. 


48 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  CYLINDER  PACK¬ 
ING  AND  THE  VALVE  BLOW¬ 
ING. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock 
indicate  that  the  right  cylinder  pack¬ 
ing  is  blowing.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  The 
same  roar  out  of  the  exhaust  and  no 
steam  pressure  out  of  either  cylinder 
cock  prove  that  the  right  valve  rings 
are  steam  tight.  Then  place  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  in  the  extreme  backward 
position.  The  steam  is  thus  admitted 
into  the  back  end  of  the  cylinder.  The 
same  roar  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a 
strong  steam  pressure  out  of  the  front 
cylinder  cock  prove  that  the  right  cyl¬ 
inder  packing  is  blowing. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  49 


Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  'the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  a  strong  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  front  cylinder  cock  indicate 
that  the  left  cylinder  packing  is  blow¬ 
ing.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  The  same  roar  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  a  strong  steam 
pressure  out  of  the  front  cylinder 
cock,  but  no  steam  pressure  out  of  the 
back  cylinder  cock,  prove  that  the 
packing  rings  at  the  front  end  of  the 
left  valve  are  blowing.  Then  place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  extreme 
backward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  front  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder.  The  same  roar  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  and  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
the  back  cylinder  cock  prove  that  the 
left  cylinder  packing  is  steam  tight, 
and  also  that  the  packing  rings  at  the 
front  end  of  the  left  valve  are  blow¬ 
ing. 


50 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  DEFECTIVE 
EXHAUST  RING. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end 
of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  right  cylinder  packing  is  steam 
tight.  Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  The  same  roar  out 
of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  either  cylinder  cock  prove  that 
the  right  valve  rings  are  steam  tight. 
Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same  roar 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  front  cylinder  cock 
prove  that  the  right  side  is  steam 
tight. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  51 


Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  No  blow  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  or  no  steam  pressure  out  of  the 
front  cylinder  cock  indicate  that  the 
left  cylinder  packing  is  steam  tight. 
Move  the  reversing  lever  slowly  to  the 
central  position.  No  blow  out  of  the 
exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
either  cylinder  cock  prove  that  the 
admission  rings  and  the  exhaust  ring 
at  the  back  end  of  the  valve  are  steam 
tight.  Then  place  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  backward  position. 
The  steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the 
front  end  of  the  cylinder.  No  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  or  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock 
prove  that  the  left  cylinder  packing  is 
steam  tight.  Move  the  reversing  lever 
slowly  toward  the  central  position 
until  a  blow  is  heard.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure  out 


52 


A  Guide. 


of  the  back  cylinder  cock  indicate  that 
the  exhaust  ring  at  the  front  end  of 
the  left  valve  is  blowing.  Having  a 
blow  out  of  the  exhaust  only  when 
the  front  cylinder  port  is  open,  until 
the  valve  is  moved  forward  far 
enough  for  the  admission  ring  to  close 
the  steam  off  from  the  exhaust,  and 
no  blow  is  heard,  proves  that  the  front 
exhaust  ring  is  defective. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  53 


TO  LOCATE  THE  WORN  CYLINDER 
PACKING. 

Place  the  right  crank  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  slowly  move  the  revers¬ 
ing  lever  to  the  extreme  forward 
position.  The  steam  is  thus  admitted 
into  the  front  end  of  the  cylinder, 
and  no  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  is 
heard.  Then  slowly  move  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  to  the  extreme  back¬ 
ward  position.  No  blow  out  of  the 
exhaust  proves  that  the  right  side  is 
steam  tight.  Next  place  the  left 
crank  on  the  top  quarter  and  move 
the  reversing  lever  slowly  to  the  ex¬ 
treme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  A  blow  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  is  heard,  but  stopped  before  one 
could  locate  the  defect. 

Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
central  position.  No  blow  out  of  the 
exhaust  or  no  steam  pressure  out  of 
either  cylinder  cock  prove  that  the  left 


A  Guide, 


5T 

valve  is  steam  tight.  Move  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  slowly  to  the  extreme 
backward  position.  When  the  steam 
was  first  admitted  into  the  front  end 
of  the  cylinder  a  blow  was  heard,  but 
stopped  before  one  could  locate  the 
defect.  Then  place  the  reversing 
lever  forward  again,  until  the  valve 
opens  the  rear  cylinder  port  a  trifle. 
A  blow  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a 
strong  steam  pressure  out  of  the  front 
cylinder  cock  indicate  that  the  cyl¬ 
inder  packing  is  blowing.  Move  the 
reversing  lever  two  notches  forward. 
There  is  a  roar  out  of  the  exhaust 
and  a  strong  steam  pressure  out  of 
the  front  cylinder  cock.  Again  move 
the  reversing  lever  two  notches  for¬ 
ward,  and  the  blow  stops.  This  indi¬ 
cates  that  the  cylinder  packing  is  worn 
too  small  for  the  cylinder,  and  with 
only  a  little  port  opening,  the  volume 
of  steam  is  not  forceful  enough  to  ex¬ 
pand  the  rings  to  the  cylinder;  but 
after  the  port  is  half  open  or  more, 


Locomotive  Eng|ne  Mach.  Defects.  55 

then  the  steam  pressure  expands  the 
rings  to  the  cylinder  and  no  blow  is 
heard,  proving  that  the  left  cylinder 
packing  is  defective. 


56 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  TURNED 
CYLINDER  BUSHING. 

If  the  engine  becomes  suddenly 
lame  and  there  seems  to  be  nothing 
wrong  with  the  valve  gear,  place  the 
right  crank  on  the  top  quarter  and  the 
reversing  lever  in  the  extreme  for¬ 
ward  position.  The  steam  is  thus  ad¬ 
mitted  into  the  back  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder.  The  boiler  pressure  on  the 
back  cylinder  cock  indicates  that  the 
cylinder  bushing  is  not  turned.  Then 
place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  backward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end  of 
the  cylinder.  The  boiler  pressure  on 
the  front  cylinder  cock  proves  that  the 
right  cylinder  bushing  is  not  turned. 

Next  place  the  left  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  No  steam  pressure  on 
the  back  cylinder  cock  indicates  that 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  57 


the  cylinder  bushing  is  turned.  Then 
place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  backward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end  of 
the  cylinder.  No  steam  pressure  on 
the  front  or  either  cylinder  cock 
proves  that  the  left  cylinder  bushing 
has  turned  and  closed  the  outlet  to 
the  cylinder  drain  cocks. 


58 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  CYLINDER  POUNDS. 

The  piston  head  working  to  and 
fro  on  the  piston  rod  will  cause  a 
very  bad  pound  which  can  be  located 
best  by  placing  either  crank  on  the  top 
quarter  and  moving  the  reversing 
lever  to  and  fro.  When  the  steam  is 
admitted  into  the  front  end  of  the  cyl¬ 
inder  no  pound  is  heard,  but  when 
the  steam  is  admitted  into  the  back 
end  of  the  cylinder  a  very  sharp 
pound  is  heard,  which  sounds  as 
though  the  pound  is  either  at  the  front 
end  of  the  main  rod  or  at  the  main 
crank.  Then  listen  to  the  cylinder 
when  the  steam  is  admitted  into  the 
back  end.  A  ringing  sound  heard 
in  the  cylinder  indicates  that  the  pis¬ 
ton  head  is  loose  on  the  piston  rod. 

The  tapper  fit  of  the  piston  head  on 
the  piston  rod,  and  the  large  nut  that 
holds  the  head  on  the  piston  rod  con¬ 
trols  the  sound  of  the  piston  head 
pound.  This  pound  is  heard  only 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  59 


when  the  steam  is  admitted  into  the 
back  end  of  the  cylinder. 

Other  cylinder  pounds  can  be  lo¬ 
cated  best  when  the  engine  is  running, 
by  placing  the  hand  or  foot  on  the  cyl¬ 
inder  and  feeling  the  jar  to  see  if  the 
pound  is  at  one  end  or  at  both  ends  of 
the  cylinder.  The  very  slightest  cyl¬ 
inder  pound  should  be  repaired. 


60 


A  Guide. 


TO  LOCATE  IF  THE  GUIDE  BARS 

NEED  CLOSING  OR  ARE  BENT. 

The  back  ends  of  the  cross-heads 
always  wear  the  most.  For  this  rea¬ 
son,  it  should  not  be  judged  that  the 
guides  need  closing  from  looking  at 
the  back  end  of  the  cross-head,  when 
the  cross-head  is  at  the  front  end  of 
the  guides.  If  the  front  end  of  the 
cross-head  is  neatly  fitted  at  the  front 
end  of  the  guides  and  the  back  end 
of  the  cross-head  is  neatly  fitted  at 
the  back  end  of  the  guides,  but  the 
front  end  of  the  cross-head  is  an 
eighth  of  an  inch  or  more  loose  in 
the  middle  of  the  guides,  this  proves 
that  the  guide  or  guide  bars  are  bent 
and  should  be  straightened. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  MAIN  ROD  AND 
MAIN  BOX  POUNDS, 

Place  either  crank  on  the  top  quar¬ 
ter.  Move  the  reversing  lever  to  and 
fro  and  feel  if  the  pound  is  in  the 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  61 


front  end  or  in  the  back  end  of  the 
main  rod.  Then  feel  if  there  is  any 
pound  in  the  main  box  or  the  main 
crown  bearings.  Do  not  judge  from 
the  sound,  but  feel  the  pound.  Then 
the  defect  can  be  repaired. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  ENGINE  OUT 
OF  TRAM. 

Place  the  engine  on  a  straight  and 
level  track.  Next  place  either  side  on 
the  forward  center  and  then  on  the 
back  center.  If  the  bushing  or  bush¬ 
ings  are  free  on  the  pin  or  pins  when 
on  either  center,  it  indicates  that  the 
engine  is  in  tram.  If  the  bushing  or 
bushings  are  so  tight  on  the  pin  or 
pins,  when  the  engine  is  on  either 
center,  that  they  can  not  be  moved  by 
means  of  a  pry,  it  proves  that  the 
driver  or  drivers,  or  the  side  rod  or 
rods,  are  out  of  tram. 

The  badly  worn  side  rod  and 
knuckle  pin  bushings  can  also  be  lo¬ 
cated  when  the  engine  is  in  the  above 


62 


A  Guide. 


mentioned  positions,  by  lifting  the 
side  rods  up  and  down  on  the  pins. 
If  the  bushing  or  bushings  lift  up  and 
down  on  the  pin  or  pins  an  eighth  of 
an  inch  or  more,  it  indicates  that  the 
bushing  or  bushings  are  three-six¬ 
teenths  of  an  inch  larger  than  the  pin 
or  pins,  and  should  be  renewed. 


TO  LOCATE  THE  LOOSE  WEDGES 

AND  HOW  TO  ADJUST  SAME. 

Place  the  engine  on  a  straight  and 
level  track,  with  the  right  crank  on  the 
top  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  backward  position.  Then 
place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end  of 
the  cylinder.  This  forces  the  boxes 
tight  against  the  shoes,  which  is  the 
proper  position  to  find  if  the  wedge 
or  wedges  need  adjusting. 

If  the  wedge  or  wedges  are  loose, 
loosen  the  wedge  bolt  lock  nut,  screw 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  63 


the  wedge  bolt  up  with  one  hand,  and 
pry  the  wedge  up  with  a  small  pin  bar 
with  the  other  hand,  until  the  wedge 
sticks  without  dropping  down.  The 
wedge  or  wedges  are  then  in  the 
proper  place. 

Perform  the  same  operation  on  the 
left  side. 


A  Guide. 


64 


THE  MALLET  ENGINE. 

The  compound  mallet  engine  admits 
the  steam  into  both  the  high  and  low 
pressure  engines  direct  from  the 
boiler,  with  the  intercepting  valve  in 
the  simple  position.  The  defects  can 
then  be  located  by  using  the  same  op¬ 
erations  as  for  any  other  engine.  For 
illustration,  place  the  right  crank  of 
the  low  pressure  engine  on  the 
bottom  quarter  and  the  reversing  lever 
in  the  extreme  forward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus- admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock,  in¬ 
dicate  that  the  right  cylinder  packing 
is  steam  tight. 

Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  cen¬ 
tral  position.  The  same  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pressure  out 
of  either  cylinder  cock,  prove  that  the 
right  valve  is  steam  tight.  Then  place 
the  reversing  lever  in  the  extreme 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  65 


backward  position.  The  steam  is  thus 
admitted  into  the  back  end  of  the 
cylinder. 

The  same  blow  out  of  the  exhaust, 
but  no  steam  pressure  out  of  the  front 
cylinder  cock,  prove  that  the  right  side 
is  steam  tight.  Next  place  the  left 
crank  on  the  top  quarter  and  the  re¬ 
versing  lever  in  the  extreme  forward 
position.  The  steam  is  thus  admitted 
into  the  back  end  of  the  cylinder. 

The  same  roar  out  of  the  exhaust 
and  a  sharp  steam  pressure  blows  out 
of  the  front  cylinder  cock,  indicate 
that  the  valve  is  blowing. 

Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  cen¬ 
tral  position.  The  same  blow  out  of 
the  exhaust  and  a  sharp  steam  pres¬ 
sure  blows  out  of  both  cylinder  cocks, 
prove  that  the  left  valve  is  blowing. 

Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same  blow 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  a  sharp  steam 


66 


A  Guide. 


pressure  blows  out  of  the  back  cylin¬ 
der  cock,  indicates  that  the  left  valve 
blows  in  all  positions. 

Next  place  the  right  crank  of  the 
high  pressure  engine,  on  the  bottom 
quarter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the 
extreme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  front  end 
of  the  cylinder.  A  roar  out  of  the 
exhaust  and  a  very  strong  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock, 
indicate  that  the  right  cylinder  pack¬ 
ing  is  blowing.  Place  the  reversing 
lever  in  the  central  position.  No  roar 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  either  cylinder  cock,  prove 
that  the  right  valve  is  steam  tight.  But 
there  is  a  sharp  blow  out  of  the  ex¬ 
haust  which  comes  from  the  left  low 
pressure  engine  valve.  Then  place  the 
reversing  lever  in  the  extreme  back¬ 
ward  position.  The  steam  is  thus  ad¬ 
mitted  into  the  back  end  of  the  cylin¬ 
der. 

A  roar  out  of  the  exhaust  and  a 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  67 

strong  steam  pressure  out  of  the  front 
cylinder  cock,  prove  that  the  right 
high  pressure  engine  cylinder  packing 
is  blowing. 

Next  place  the  left  crank  of  the 
high  pressure  engine,  on  the  top  quar¬ 
ter  and  the  reversing  lever  in  the  ex¬ 
treme  forward  position.  The  steam 
is  thus  admitted  into  the  back  end 
of  the  cylinder. 

A  roar  out  of  the  exhaust,  but  no 
steam  pressure  out  of  the  front  cylin¬ 
der  cock,  indicate  that  the  left  side  is 
steam  tight. 

Place  the  reversing  lever  in  the  cen¬ 
tral  position.  The  same  roar  out  of 
the  exhaust,  but  no  steam  pressure 
out  of  either  cylinder  cock,  prove  that 
the  left  valve  is  steam  tight. 

Then  place  the  reversing  lever  in 
the  extreme  backward  position.  The 
steam  is  thus  admitted  into  the  front 
end  of  the  cylinder.  The  same  roar 
out  of  the  exhaust  and  no  steam  pres¬ 
sure  out  of  the  back  cylinder  cock, 


68  A  Guide. 

prove  that  the  left  side  of  the  high 
pressure  engine  is  steam  tight.  Also 
proves,  that  the  right  high  pressure 
cylinder  packing  and  the  left  low  pres¬ 
sure  valve,  are  blowing. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  69 


DONTS. 

Don’t  report  both  valves  examined 
when  only  one  side  is  defective. 

Don’t  report  both  cylinder  packing 
when  only  one  side  is  defective. 

Don’t  report  the  piston  or  valve 
stem  packed  when  it  is  only  the  gland 
joint  leaking. 

Don’t  report  the  brasses  at  the 
front  end  of  the  main  rods  filed  when 
the  pound  is  in  the  back  end. 

Don’t  report  the  brasses  filed  at  the 
back  end  of  the  main  rods  when  the 
pound  is  in  the  main  driving  boxes. 

Don’t  report  all  of  the  side  rod 
bushings  renewed  when  only  one  or 
two  of  them  are  pounding. 

Don’t  report  all  of  the  knuckle  pin 
bushings  renewed  when  only  the  back 
ones  are  pounding. 

Don’t  examine  the  piston  valve 
packing  rings  without  examining  the 
steam  chest  bushings  for  defects. 


70 


A  Guide. 


Don’t  pack  the  piston  or  the  valve 
stem  without  examining  same  to  see  if 
in  fit  condition  to  be  packed. 

Don’t  close  the  guides  from  the  top 
when  they  need  closing  from  the  bot¬ 
tom. 

Don’t  key  up  the  brasses  at  the 
front  end  of  the  main  rod  when  the 
crank  is  on  either  center. 

Don’t  file  the  brasses  open  at  the 
back  end  of  the  main  rods. 

Don’t  use  three  or  four  thin  liners 
in  lining  brasses  or  guides  when  one 
solid  liner  can  be  used. 

Don’t  close  the  guides  without  see¬ 
ing  that  the  guide  oil  cups  are  in  per¬ 
fect  working  condition. 

Don’t  use  short  rush  iron  liners  in 
resetting  the  driving  tires. 

Don’t  fail  to  see  that  the  tire  or  tires 
are  set  at  the  proper  place. 


Locomotive  Engine  Mach.  Defects.  71 


Don’t  adjust  the  wedges  only  when 
the  engine  comes  in  from  a  run;  the 
boxes  are  then  expanded. 

Don’t  connect  up  the  main  rods 
without  dividing  the  clearance  in  the 
cylinders. 


\ 


